A lighting question

[phaedraeos]

Is it bad for a multi-bulb light to run with a bulb missing? In other words, if I had a two bulb system and only put one bulb in, would that be bad for the it?

I say it would and my husband said it wouldn't, so we figured we'd consult the forum.

 

[dmopar74]

i run only one bulb in my double bulb fixture, works fine.

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

well its not bad for it but its dangerous as you have contact points that are HOT! (Hot doesnt mean hot it means have power run to them)

When I was a crazy little kid I knocked over a lap and the filament broke but I didnt know that and I needed to fix it before my parents saw ha ha and I thought "hmm maybe it doesnt work because there is something in the socket..." well there was something in the socket...110 volts and I felt every one!

After that I decided that live empty sockets were a bad idea

In an aquarium environment you also have to worry about water causing a short as well

 

[phaedraeos]

bump - any other opinions?